Saracens Mavericks vs Strathclyde Sirens - 6 May 2023 - NSL Rd16

HEAD COACH’S WELCOME

CAMILLA BUCHANAN

GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO OUR PENULTIMATE HOME FIXTURE OF THE SEASON, AGAINST STRATHCLYDE SIRENS.

It’s also fantastic that we are able to welcome our U15s side and Central Warriors U15s, who are playing ahead of our NSL fixture this afternoon.

It’s a week on from our last home match against Loughborough, and we’ve had time to reflect on what really was a game of two halves.

There were lots of things, especially in that first quarter that we were really disappointed in, but the spirit and the fightback from the group in the second half was outstanding. Some players like Brit Clarke really rose to the fore and were particularly impressive.

Looking ahead to this afternoon’s match, we will need those players to step up again.

The crowd at HSV has been phenomenal every time we have stepped on court this season and last weekend was no different.

To be able to play and coach in front of you all is a huge honour and, with just two more matches left at home, it’s fair to say that you have given us a huge boost this season.

Last time we met Sirens, we were left frustrated by how we played. Today is a chance to show just how far we have come since that match.

Players are really putting their hand up for a starting spot, which is really pleasing to see. Now, we need to keep moving forward as one.

Enjoy the game

SCENE SETTER

WE’RE BACK AT HOME FOR THE SECOND MATCH IN A ROW, AS 6TH HOSTS 7TH IN THE NETBALL SUPER LEAGUE AT HSV.

It was a mixed weekend last time out for Mavericks, with an impressive and hardfought victory on the road against Celtic Dragons followed by a defeat to Loughborough Lightning at home on Bank Holiday Monday.

It was a weekend of two halves, but also a match of two halves at home and, with just two matches left at home this season, Mavericks will be determined to rediscover that winning HSV feeling.

Sirens themselves had a mixed weekend, with a defeat to Leeds Rhinos followed by victory over Team Bath.

Last time these two sides met in Scotland, Sirens delivered a masterclass to hand Camilla Buchanan’s side a heavy defeat. Mavericks will no doubt have revenge on their minds this afternoon, as they look to settle old scores and continue to try and chase down a top half finish.

SARACENS MAVERICKS PATHWAY NEWS

CONTINUING WITH OUR PATHWAY TEAM ROUNDUPS, IT’S TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT HOW OUR UNDER 21S HAVE FARED THIS SEASON.

The Under 21s finished seventh this season. They have had four wins and five losses. It was important that in every game they remained competitive and we cannot fault the effort that each player put into the training environment.

We wish them all the best in the remainder of the Academy program this season. We are also proud of Josie who has played cricket for England Under 19 at the T-20 World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, where they gained at silver medal. Congratulations to Ziana too, who was awarded a BEM for her recognition for her services to Netball and the Asian community.

For many it is their last season at U21s before they go off to university or age out. We are

The environment is a joy to be part of and players and coaches show a great training ethic. We recognise that every player has the intent and skill to want the best for themselves and each other, and for the club.

The squad has been captained by the formidable Ellie Oswick with Holly James, Sophia Pawlaczek and Ziana Butt as part of the leadership team.

Well done to our England Roses Academy players in Tori Fisher, Izzy Howse and Josie Groves.

Any opportunity I get, I just want to do my best.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Good things come to those who wait. In Britney Clarke’s case, she took her opportunity with aplomb last Monday against Loughborough.

Thrust into the action in the absence of IneMari Venter, Clarke delivered a masterclass in the shooting circle, winning the fans player of the match vote for her efforts.

"It was really good. I've felt like it's been a long time coming. I've been working really hard in training and trying to build those connections. Any opportunity I get, I just want to do my best.”

Clarke admitted to being over the moon at receiving the Version2 Player of the Match award on Monday and explained just how much it meant to her to receive the recognition.

"It was my first player of the match in an NSL game and to get voted by the fans was just so sweet. It was something I wanted to tick off in my career too. The fans are here week in, week out. It's so nice to know that they are really watching and seeing my growth.”

The match against Sirens earlier in the season was a chastening one for the side, as they suffered a heavy defeat to a physical Strathclyde side.

Clarke is expecting Sirens to bring more of the same to HSV, but asserted her confidence in the group, now that they weren't having to travel to Glasgow!

"Hopefully being at home, we can bring our own energy and hone in on that more. Let's be honest, Scotland isn't exactly just heading down the road for a game is it!? It's hard to travel and it was tough then. We'll be better but I'm not expecting them to take their foot off the pedal at all. I really believe though, that we will rise to the challenge and get it over the line this time.”

Despite some significant wins this season, Mavericks have been guilty of slow starts in several matches. Clarke wants to see her side improve upon that in these last four games of the season, as they aim to look up the table and show their improvement.

"Obviously we want to win! But for me, it's about making the most of every opportunity that I get. As a team, we want to consolidate what we've been working on and really push for that full sixty minutes. We're not doing that at the moment and we've been quite slow in the first half. As a unit, we want to step out with our best foot forward first and put in a good performance for everyone that comes along."

TODAY’S

OPPONENTS

STRATHCLYDE SIRENS

THE SIRENS HAVE HAD THEIR MOMENTS THIS SEASON, AS THEY

NETBALL SUPER LEAGUE LEAGUE TABLE

ROUND SIXTEEN FIXTURES

SURREY STORM VS TEAM BATH

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING VS SEVERN STARS

MANCHESTER THUNDER VS LEEDS RHINOS

PLAYER PROFILES 2022/23

LIGHTNING STRIKES AT HSV, AS MAVS COMEBACK FALLS SHORT.

A SLOW FIRST QUARTER CAUGHT MAVERICKS COLD AT HSV, AS THEY LEFT THEMSELVES WITH TOO MUCH TO DO AGAINST LOUGHBOROUGH.

This battle with last season’s Netball Super League runners up was the quintessential ‘game of two halves’ as a handful of offensive errors in the opening fifteen left the home side with an almost impossible task in the remaining three quarters.

Mavericks were facing a Loughborough side that were riding high following victory over Manchester Thunder on Saturday and they made a rampant start at HSV, leaving the Mavericks faithful fearing the worst.

To their credit though, Camilla Buchanan’s side continued to show their fighting spirit, which was epitomised by Britney Clarke at Goal Shooter.

Clarke was named in the starting 7 at a packed Hertfordshire Sports Village on Bank Holiday Monday and was praised by Head Coach, Camilla Buchanan, for her 60-minute performance.

Mavericks fans also showed their appreciation for Clarke, voting her Player of the Match in an online poll.

The experienced Razia Quashie mirrored Clarke’s performance at the other end of the court, to be awarded Gilbert Netball Player of the Match. Quashie, however, reflected how Mavericks allowed Vic Burgess’s side too great an advantage in the beginning, ultimately leaving themselves with too much to do.

Ellie Kelk and Lisa Mather entered the fray in the second quarter but a combination of offensive errors from the Black and Reds and title-challenging play from the Midlanders left the home side with a 23-goal deficit to close after the half time break.

Britney Clarke was matter-of-fact about “the good talking to” her team received in the changing room but how “it was the fire that we needed. We had a complete change of mindset, we really stuck to structure and pushed on.” Georgia Lees was one of those who came out with fire in her belly to help her team win the third quarter and reduce the gap.

As has been typical of Buchanan’s side in recent games, the final quarter was her team’s

Mavericks played a gutsy fifteen and can be proud of winning the half by eleven points and finishing the match just twelve points behind Lightning.

Mavericks have been working on how they adapt during games and it’s wonderful to hear how proud the Head Coach was of how well her team did just that in such a difficult match:

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way we adjusted. Really, really happy with how they responded.”

This will still feel like a missed opportunities for Mavericks, but they will be able to take great comfort from their second half performance.

Heading into this afternoon’s clash, they will

Report by Erica Rosa Tapp

SARACENS MAVERICKS COMMUNITY CORNER

Make sure to join our NSL coaches, Camilla Buchanan and Becky Trippick for our final CPD session on May 18th , as they provide insight into a Mavericks training session. Book now for just £25 and learn more about our programme.

The wonderful Monique Meyer is also hosting a Player Masterclass on 30th May, which you can now sign up for. Book now to avoid losing your place!

Our camps are continuing to be incredibly popular.

We have several dates available at the end of May and beginning of June in Bedford, Bishop’s Stortford and Hatfield.

Book your place today to avoid missing out.

Click here to view our upcoming camps

On 22nd May, we are hosting a schools festival for years 5 and 6 ahead of the match against Team Bath.

Our Alpha Camps are also back! It’s your chance to learn what it takes to #BeAMaverick.

Sign up here

Our Learn to Train programme is on sale soon, so keep an eye out on our channels for the sign-up link.